Daily Archives: January 6, 2012

Jerral Lee Johnson, 61, of Starke died Thursday, December 29, 2011 at Shands at the University of Florida. He was born in Jacksonville on November 8, 1950 to the late Herschel Johnson and Ruby Lee Thompson Dawkins. Jerral was a resident of Starke since 1978 after moving from Jacksonville.

Mr. Johnson was a member of the Sampson City Church of God and he retired after many years as a firefighter and paramedic. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, working in his garage and most of all spending time with his family. He was preceded by his parents and step-father Willis Lee Dawkins.

The funeral service was held on Monday, January 2 at 11:00 am at his church with Revs. Gene Bass and Alton Coleman officiating. Interment followed at Crosby Lake Cemetery. Archie Tanner Funeral Services was in charge of arrangements.

Kenneth Michael “Mike” Gainey Sr., 43, of Taylor died Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at Orange Park Medical Center. He was born in Macclenny and was a lifelong resident of Baker County and the Taylor community. He graduated in 1987 from Baker County High School, where he played for the varsity Wildcat football team, and then joined the United States Marine Corp.

Mr. Gainey worked for 20 years at Florida Wire and Cable, with 15 of those years at the Sanderson Wiremill. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, golfing, collecting Star Trek and Bald Eagle memorabilia and was an avid Florida Gator fan.

He attended Taylor Church and was preceded in death by paternal grandparents Clayton and Matilda Gainey of St. George, GA and his maternal grandparents Eullie and Edith Richardson of Taylor.

The funeral service was held Saturday, December 31 at 3 pm at his church with Revs. Mark Woods and Jim Cox officiating. Interment followed at Taylor Cemetery with Marine Corps military honors. Guerry Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Ulys Davis, 86, of Macclenny died January 2, 2012. He was born in Wakulla, Florida to the late Harney J. Davis and Georgia Williamson Davis on January 25, 1925. He was a lifelong resident of Baker County and a member of the Macclenny Church of Christ.

Mr. Davis was a decorated World War II veteran who was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received 3 days after the Normandy Invasion in 1944.

Mr. Davis enjoyed fishing, farming, traveling to bluegrass music shows and the mountains. His biggest passion was raising cows. He was predeceased by his wife of 61 years Thelma Thrift Davis and infant daughter Sandra Janet Davis.

The funeral service for Mr. Davis will be on Thursday, January 5 at 2:00 pm at his church with Sam Kitching officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery in Macclenny. The family will receive friends on Wednesday January 4 from 5:00-8:00 pm at the funeral home. Arrangements are by Ferreira Funeral Services, Macclenny.

The Lady Wildcat basketball team won its way into the finals of the Bishop Snyder Christmas Tournament before losing to rival Baldwin 54-42. The Cats beat Bishop Snyder in the first round and Ed White in the semi-final game.

Chelsey Ruise had 20 points in the 48-40 win over the White Commanders to lead all scorers. Ruise had 9 points in the final period as BCHS outscored White 16-6 to secure the win.